Me, the person that hates to cook and is pretty bad at it because of my dislike for cooking, was invited to a freezer meal exchange! I had to bring enough dinners, breakfasts, and deserts to feed 8 families. My first reaction was an absolute no, but then I got to thinking... In exchange for me taking a day or two to make these meals, I could then come home with 8 different dinners, 8 different breakfasts, and 8 different deserts! These meals would all be prepared and ready to just be thrown in the oven. Well, doesn't that start sounding appealing? We all have those days, I seem to have more than most, that we don't know what to cook, don't have time to cook, or just don't want to cook. A freezer meal party and exchange is a great solution and also gives you an excuse to see your friends!
Create the Event - First things first, invite people. Make it as small or as large as you would like, just remember, some meals may have to be put together, prepped, or cooked in your home. Using your kitchen. While a small kitchen can defiantly be used, you don't want to overwhelm your space. Decide if you want to work at night or during a weekend day; depending on how prepared everyone is when they get to you, it can take many hours. Send out the invites. Facebook messenger and events work really well for this because then you have a platform for discussion like food allergies and who is bringing what dishes.
Decide Your Meals - While I am not the best cook, I do have a few meals that I have mastered. I made Macaroni and Cheese, Waffles, and Snickerdoodles. All those are also easy to freeze and thaw. We had Taquitos, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Uncrustable type Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, Breakfast Sandwiches, Egg Cups, and so much more. Stumped on what to make? Check out the Cherry Valley Macaroni Kid Pinterest Page or do an internet search. Make sure they can be frozen, easily thawed, and easy for your guests to bring home at the end of the party.
Preparing Your Meals - Now that you have decided what to contribute, you need to decide if you want to make it before the party (more time to socialize with friends) or make it during the party. Because I waited until the last minute to make my meals I was only able to get two of the three done in advance. Remember to put them in containers that are airtight for the freezer and to put write out the baking instructions on the container. I got my Macaroni and Cheese containers at the Dollar Store and I was easily able to write instructions on them.
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Party Day - Don't just think freezer meal exchange, but also think party. Think, a time to spend with some great friends. Ask people to bring a snack and drink to share, or just provide them yourself. Some people will come with their meals ready, others won't. If you have a TV that you can watch from the kitchen, get some chick flicks out to watch together. I brought my already frozen meals in my cooler and they stayed frozen for the entire 7 hours I was there. You may want to clean out your freezer a bit and offer that to people so they can stay and enjoy their time. Hopefully everyone will come with everything they need to make their meals if they haven't already made them but have common kitchen tools, pots, pans, etc. ready to go if needed. Make sure there is also a big prep and cooking space available; folding tables make great prep spots. At the end of the night when it was time for everyone to go home we laid everything out and each person just went around grabbing one of each thing and took it home with them. Plastic crates, laundry baskets, and those big reusable bags all make great carriers for your meals.
Enjoy - Some people like to eat the meals right away, I plan on saving mine for those busy summer days. To be able to just pull it out in the morning, go play in the sun all day, and then come home and just pop it in the oven sounds like heaven!
